Read Marry Me for Free Online Page B

door. Feeling a bit like she’d been run over by a lavender eighteen-wheeler, Julia followed.
    She looked around her new workplace. The inside was much like the display window. Against the far wall sat an antique oak desk. The main room had plush, cream-colored carpet, which made her want to take off her shoes and walk barefoot. The wallpaper had the barest hint of a cream stripe, which was at once elegant and soothing. Black and white photographs of impossibly beautiful couples in wedding attire lined the walls, and small antique display tables were placed strategically around the room. One had samples of lace, and another a pile of wedding invitations. Still another had photographs of different venues from gardens, to lakeside parks, to churches.
    Julia sighed in relief. She could work with this. She’d been expecting something nauseatingly romantic or cheesy, like a Vegas wedding chapel, and though the place was definitely romantic, it was a tasteful romantic. Her estimation of Sarah was growing by leaps and bounds.
    Betsy was talking again, and Julia brought herself back to earth. She had a feeling she was only ever going to catch every fifth word out of the woman’s mouth, so she’d better pay attention.
    â€œThis is where we meet with clients,” Betsy said.
    â€œIt’s beautiful.”
    Betsy gave her a pleased smile. “It is, isn’t it? Sarah did it all herself. Well, she had lots of help, of course. Her husband and some of the kids from the Center. Plus, Seth and other church members. It was a regular barn raising I tell you. Come on to the back, and I’ll show you the office.”
    â€œI thought this was the office.”
    She giggled. “Oh no, this is where we meet with clients. The back isn’t quite as neat.”
    Julia’s first instinct when Betsy opened the door was to make a run for it. Not quite as neat? It looked like a tornado had gone through the room. Twice. There were piles of books on every wedding-related subject imaginable all over the place. Complementing the books were stacks of magazines. Julia was sure every bridal magazine published in the last century had wound up here. There were four or five stacks on wedding attire alone.
    Crammed in amongst the books and magazines were file cabinets, which clearly weren’t being used properly because there seemed to be more files lying around the room than were actually in them.
    Betsy took in Julia’s horrified expression. “It’s quite a shock at first, isn’t it?”
    Julia waved her hand around the room, unable to comprehend the madness. “Are you telling me you two work in here? What is all this anyway?”
    â€œReference material, mostly. Planning a wedding is sort of like trying to maneuver an army. All the little pieces have to come together on “D-Day” or “W-Day” in this case.”
    â€œThis is unbelievable. How on earth am I supposed to know where things are located? Sarah might know, but she’s not here.”
    â€œWell, all you have to know the location of is the bible .”
    â€œHuh?”
    A Bible was going to help her plan weddings? Was flower arranging part of the Ten Commandments?
    Betsy delicately made her way past an ugly green couch, a couple of wooden chairs and a scarred, wooden desk and lifted a huge binder off a shelf. The resounding thud of the book landing on the desk made Julia wince.
    â€œThis is the bible ,” Betsy said. “Or Sarah’s bible. It’s got all the information you need. Lists of vendors, bridal boutiques and men’s formal wear stores, caterers, cake makers, florists, musicians, photographers, and printers for invitations. Local hotels, inns, and B&B’s. The churches in the area. Different venues. Plus, contact numbers of people from the country club manager to the wedding coordinators at the churches in town.”
    â€œAll in this book?” Julia asked, sure her head was going